By Petty Officer 3rd
Class Jamal McNeill, Navy Office of Community Outreach
NORFOLK, Va. – A 2009 Owasso High School graduate and
Owasso, Oklahoma native is serving in the U.S. Navy with Carrier Airborne Early
Warning Squadron (VAW) 126.
Lt. j.g. Zack Repp works with the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye
Squadron, VAW 126, also known as “Seahawks”, operating out of Norfolk,
Virginia.
He is responsible for management and supervising the
personnel and equipment that maintain the aircraft.
“I enjoy working with people and helping them accomplish
their goals and complete the mission,” said Repp.
The primary mission of VAW-126 is to provide mission-ready
and combat-ready E-2D aircraft and capable aircrew wherever needed, on time,
and safely.
As the newest variant of the E-2 aircraft platform, the E-2D
Advanced Hawkeye serves as the most advanced command and control aircraft in
the Navy and features a state-of the-art radar with more capabilities and
upgraded aircraft systems that improves the combat effectiveness of a carrier
air wing and carrier strike group..
In addition to airborne early warning mission, the E-2D
provides a variety of capabilities to the carrier strike group, including
search and rescue operations, data link, communications relay, strike control,
close air support coordination, and drug interdiction.
”The sailors of VAW-126 are integral to
the successful employment of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye,” said Cmdr. Scott Wastak,
Commanding Officer VAW-126. “Without their meticulous attention to detail and
dedication to the mission, the Hawkeye would be unable to perform its mission
and meet our nation’s call to duty. Our
sailors are truly our most valuable assets!”
With a crew of nearly 150 sailors, jobs
are highly specialized and designed to keep each part of the Hawkeye running
smoothly. Whether training new aviators,
maintaining airframes and engines, processing paperwork, or handling and flying
the aircraft, the key to success is teamwork.
“I enjoy my co-workers here at the command,” said Repp. “It
is a great staff and everyone legitimately cares about each other and wants one
another to succeed.”
"By serving in the Navy I know I am helping to support and
defend the people of the country and helping make the world a better place,”
added Repp.
The Seahawks of VAW-126 are assigned to Carrier Air Wing
ONE.